Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Jul 28, 2009
Do you want to keep your birds or poultry safely contained inside the pen?
Have you purchased or are you considering purchasing a woven net to cover the top of your bird or poultry pen?
The potential for problems comes from the fact that any woven material is subject to distortion unless handled properly. Woven netting is light weight and flexible and particularly subject to being pulled out of shape. Unless it is installed correctly, a 20'x50' piece of netting will lose its ability to cover a 20'x50' pen.
When the roll is opened it is longer than its stated length. As it is installed correctly, this length will shorten to its proper dimension.
How do you install it? The following steps can help you avoid problems and do the job right.
- Stretch one end of the roll out to its full width.
- Fasten one end of the top netting to one end of the pen.
- Starting from this fastened end, pull out only a few feet on each side.
- Secure the footage you have pulled out to each side of your pen. It is very important to attach the sides before stretching the next length. Do not over tighten the netting.
- Pull out another few feet.
- Fasten this footage to each side.
- Continue down each side of the pen a few feet at a time.
- Be sure to fasten both sides of what you have pulled out before moving on.
- This is very important. Failure to do this can result in a distorted piece of netting that will not cover the entire pen.
- When you reach the other end of your enclosure, attach the remaining end of the netting to the structure.
Attach Top Net to the pen sides using hog rings or safety ties for attaching to wire or staples for attaching to wood.
When properly installed, the stated size of the rolls will cover a pen of the same dimensions.
Posted by Frank Langone on Tue, Jul 21, 2009
Which do you prefer?
If you have decided you want to use a vinyl coated welded wire mesh for your fence project because of its long lifetime and more attractive appearance, there are several options available to you.
Do you want to use a light weight fence?
Consider using 3"x2" mesh, welded from 16 gauge wire. There are three different heights: 24", 36" and 48". Rolls are 50 feet long. 24" is available in green, 36" and 48" are available in both black and green.
Some of the uses for this light weight fencing: tack it to a wood post and rail fence; keep small dogs in your yard; keep larger animals out of your garden; protect trees and shrubs.
Do you need heavier weight or smaller mesh fencing?
You have more choices: 1"x1" mesh in 16 and 14 gauges; 1-1/2"x1-1/2" mesh in 12-1/2 gauge; 2"x2" and 1-1/2"x4" in 14 gauge; 2"x4" in 14, 12-1/2 and 11 gauges. All, except the 2"x4" 12-1/2 gauge which is available in black only, are available in black and green. 14 gauge 2"x4" rolls are 50" and 100' lengths. Black has become the most popular color to use because it seems to disappear or blend in with the background very well.
These fence meshes can be used for pet containment, children's play areas, yard fence and the 1"x1" and 1-1/2"x4" meshes meet swimming pool fence code requirements.
Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Jul 14, 2009
How do you keep your chickens and poultry safe from predators? 
Build a safe and secure fence.
The single most important factor to consider in determining the characteristics of the fence you use to enclose your run or pen?
Mesh openings should be small enough to both keep predators out and prevent your birds from escaping.
What determines the height of the fence?
- Consider the variety and temperament of your birds.
- Whether or not birds will free-range or always remain inside the pen.
- If you want to be able to stand up inside the pen.
How do you prevent predators from going under the fence?
- Dig a trench and bury at least 12" of fence for a barrier, either vertical or angled to the outside.
- Use an apron fence with the apron on the outside of the pen.
- Lay a piece of fence mesh flat on the ground around the perimeter of the pen and attach it to the vertical piece.
How can you keep predators from entering from the top of the pen?
- Use wire mesh to cover the tops of the pen - be sure to factor in possible snow load.
- Secure the top with woven top netting or extruded plastic netting as a barrier.
What kind of fence works well for the sides of chicken pens?
- Hex netting 1" mesh (aka chicken wire) - GAW (Galvanized After Weave) or vinyl coated meshes last longest.
- Heavier gauge woven mesh with small openings at the bottom, such as Red Brand's Poultry and Garden fence.
- Welded wire mesh with small openings.
What type of mesh is most predator proof?
Wire meshes are stronger and more predator resistant than plastic or poly meshes.
What type of wire meshes will last the longest?
Vinyl coated and galvanized after weld meshes will last longest.
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Jul 08, 2009
Red Brand Poultry and Garden Fence, made by Keystone Steel and Wire in Peoria, IL, was recently re-named Deer and Orchard Fence. This is a light weight
economical fence ideal for:
- keeping small animals out of gardens or other protected areas.
- enclosing and safeguarding your poultry, rabbits and other small animals from predators.
- sheltering your trees, shrubs and garden from browsing deer.
- defining your property boundary.
The configuration of this woven wire fence is similar to heavier weight field fence. Spacing between the vertical wires is 6". Horizontal wires are 1" apart (1" x 6" openings) at the bottom and 4" apart (4" x 6" openings) at the top. The horizontal wires are crimped to allow for expansion and contraction.
Deer and Orchard, Poultry and Garden fence is woven using 14-1/2 gauge galvanized wire. Heavier 11 gauge galvanized wires are used for the top and bottom wires. The rolls feature hinge-joint construction. These flexible joints help the fence conform to uneven terrain.
Rolls are available in three sizes:
- 48" x 165' - 87 pounds
- 60" x 165' - 105 pounds
- 72" x 165' - 120 pounds
If you want to protect your animals and your plantings using an economical fence with a unique design, consider Deer and Orchard - Poultry and Garden fence.
Posted by Duncan Page on Thu, Jul 02, 2009
There are several different types of extruded plastic meshes made by Tenax that can be used as safety fence. These products are ideal for many uses including: creating a clearly defined barrier, marking off construction areas, temporary fence around swimming pools, crowd control barriers and boundary delineation. Strong, light in weight and easy to handle, the fences can be rolled up after use, taken to another location and used again. The meshes are UV protected. There are two different mesh styles available.
Diamond mesh safety fence
Sentry is available in three different types.
- Sentry Secura - a safe,
smooth, and attractive safety fence. The diamond mesh ensures aesthetic appeal, while the smooth top and bottom borders make the fence less likely to cut and scrape adjacent materials during installation and removal. - Mesh size is 1.5"x1.25".
- Orange rolls are sized 48"x50', 48"x100', 60"x50' and 72"x50'.
- Sentry Heavy Duty - a stronger version of Sentry Secura.
- Openings are 1.75"x2.125".
- 48"x50' and 100' rolls come in black, green or orange.
- Sentry - a more economical alternative
- 1.5"x1.375" mesh openings.
- 48"x50' and 100' orange rolls.
Diamex is a more rigid fence that works well
around construction sites or in crowd-control situations. A highly noticeable barrier, Diamex is considered the mid-grade diamond mesh.
- 1.8"x1.46" diamond mesh openings.
- Rolls are 48"x50' and 48"x100' in green and orange.
Square/rectangular mesh safety fence
Beacon Plus - designed for protection around 
construction sites and manholes. It can also be used for property delineation. It's manufacturing process guarantees strength and durability.
- Mesh openings are 3.5"x1.7".
- 48"x50' and 48"x100' rolls are available in green or orange.
Kryptonight - ideal for areas where high visibility is 
a must. Kryptonight complements the fluorescent stop signs, vests, and cones, which are now used in many county municipalities, replacing the traditional orange.
- Square mesh openings are 1.75"x1.75".
- The florescent yellow green rolls come in 48"x50' and 48"x100' sizes.
Guardian - a popular lightweight visual barrier 
suited for use around construction sites or in crowd-control applications. A highly noticeable barrier.
- 1.7"x1.7" oval mesh openings.
- Roll sizes are 48"x50' (available in orange only), 48"x100' (available in green or orange) and 96"x500' (available in orange only).
Logo - the newest fence in the Tenax line. Logo is
ideal for contractors who wish to have the name of their company screen-printed on the fence. The product offers high visibility and quality, while advertising the company name.
- Mesh openings measure 2.15"x2.15".
- 48"x100' rolls are either orange or yellow.
Read the Safety Fence installation recommendations from Tenax - PDF.